Popol Vuh Vs Genesis

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The stories, Popol Vuh and the Book of Genesis, are from different cultures. Many individuals believe that ‘different’ means varying opinions. However, each one could display similarities in beliefs. On the other hand, similarities may also reveal some slight differences in each culture. Creation stories have changed significantly throughout each individual culture, but each story may also come with various similarities. In each story, the people worship some God; maybe even more than one. The text Popol Vuh states “Name now our names, praise us...speak, pray to us, keep our days.” Genesis does not contain an unequivocal quote that involves them worshipping God, but it can be implied by the command he gives them to take care of all his …show more content…

In response to not meeting their expectations, the Gods each respond differently; yet negatively at the same time. In Genesis, the deity exiles Adam and Eve for eating from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. However, in Popol Vuh the deity elects to only leave animal but kill all people. These responses from each deity reveal what each culture thinks will happen upon disobeying their creator. Each story also displays a difference in the way which the deity resolves the complication. In Popol Vuh, the deity decides to limit the extent of their knowledge and vision; meaning they would not be any better than their respective deity. In Genesis, the deity does not only exile Adam and Eve; he later ends up deciding to create a flood that wipes out mankind. These differences reveal that not every god response the same to each failed expectation. In reading both texts, the spiritual essences is show through their common theme of worshipping the individual deities. In Genesis, the deity is presented as an individual who is all powerful; making not a single mistake. On the other hand, in Popol Vuh it is evident that each deity can make mistakes. Being able to recognize the similarities and differences between cultures provides us with a deeper understanding of each belief and how it varies with others prior to

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